McKeown shapes up for pet event at world championships

SWIMMING: Nerves got the better of her at the Olympics but it's hoped Taylor McKeown will be able to relax and realise her potential at the world championships.

The 22-year-old is set to compete in the women's 200m breaststroke at Budapest, from Thursday night.

University of the Sunshine Coast coach Chris Mooney said his charge was determined to fare well.

"She's hungry. Every morning we wake up at 5am we make those sacrifices that are necessary to be an elite athlete."

"That (commitment) is in there somewhere."

McKeown just missed out on a medal at Rio, after qualifying fastest for the final.

On that occasion, she admitted she panicked.

"Nerves will be there if she's got too many thoughts in her head," Mooney told the Daily recently.

But it's hoped a strong focus at training will allow her to compete with a clear mind this time around.

"It really comes back to how well we do our daily processes and how accountable we have been to those one per cent improvements," he said.

"We rehearse the stroke count and how much energy is going to be put into that first 50, we know how well we've got to pull down off that first turn, we know how well we're connecting water on that third 50, we've got to know we've got that much energy left in the legs on the fourth 50.

"We go through those processes every day. It's how well we do them which allows her to then relax and just enjoy the race.

"Just do what you do, let it go and it comes naturally."

Taylor missed out on a berth in the 100m breaststroke final at Budapest earlier this week but the 200m is her pet distance.

Her younger sister Kaylee and fellow University of the Sunshine Coast athlete Leah Neale are also set to compete during the next few days.

The former is due to start her 200m backstroke campaign on Friday evening while the latter is set to swim in the 4x200m freestyle relay from Thursday night.